Suzanne Eller got a wake-up call at the age of 31, when that unspoken idea of immortality reigns.  A 10% chance of survival seemed at odds with her normal life as wife and mother of 3.  Not only did the doctors find breast cancer, but each meeting brought worse news.   Cancer was found in 6 of her 13 lymph nodes and there was a suspected menacing spot in her brain.  With chemo, radiation and 3 surgeries her prognosis rose to a whopping 40% chance of survival over 5 years.

The diagnosis and year devoted to treatment brought the big picture into view and caused a dramatic 180-degree turn in Suzie’s priorities and life.  She was working in a civil engineering firm, writing gripping copy on waster water treatment plants and bridges.  She was everything to everyone; working full-time, commuting, attending night school, sponsoring the youth group, teaching Sunday School, kids in sports – you name it. 

Cancer taught Suzie two things quickly.  First, that she was spread so thin she was ineffective in every aspect.  Second was that there were a whole lot of things she needed to say “no” to so that she could say, “yes” to the things that mattered.

As Suzie slowed down, stepped back, and battled cancer (and won), she began to write.  Her first story, published in Chicken Soup for the Couple’s Soul and was entitled “Berry Mauve or Muted Wine”.  It was the story of a time when she was in the hospital and her husband entered the room and saw her crying.  This was very unusual for a woman who placed a sign on her hospital door that said “If you don’t have hope, don’t come in.”  Between the tubes, mastectomy, and the weight gain from the medicine, she felt she was losing herself and becoming a hollow shell; no longer a person but a “cancer patient”.  Her husband picked her up, cradled her, took her to the sink, washed and dried her hair.  Holding up two tubes of lipstick he asked, “Berry Mauve or Muted Wine?”

When her first story was published, Suzie was elated that someone wanted to read her writing and she began pursue it.  This was what she was meant to do, not the writing per se, but the communication of information about which she is passionate.  She’s since written many, many articles and 5 books.  You can see her work here.

Suzie’s core belief is that no matter who you are or in what circumstances you find yourself, you are only shaped, but not defined.  Each of us has the ability to become who we are supposed to be.  I believe I can be the parent I want to be regardless of the models my parents were to me. 

Our core belief system is our __(insert your name here)__-ness.  It’s the thing that makes us unique and what we are designed to pursue.  We use different vehicles, be it writing, speaking, parenting, jobs, or community service to express our core beliefs.  If we can’t bring our __(insert your name here)__-ness to the task, then there’s someone else who’s meant to do it.   Of course there will be passionless aspects, like waiting at the airport or proofreading.  Nothing is excitement from start to finish, but when we are operating within our core belief system, we are riding the wave.

When asked for advice for moms Suzie was very passionate.  Enjoy every moment with your children.  Don’t worry about what other moms think or about anyone judging you.  Many of the things we think are important when the kids are little are not important when they are older.  “When my kids tumble in for the holidays, they talk about the times we had on the Slip n’ Slide, jumping on the bed, or talking, not the sweet smell of Pine Sol.”  Be there 100%, not 10, not even 40, but 100%.

Click here to read the rest of The Boost.